Cardiology developed in India in the 1950's and 1960's with the setting up of the Departments of Cardiology in Vellore, in AIIMS, and in many other colleges all over India. History teaches us many lessons and meeting some of the stalwarts who made this history inspires us to greater heights. In February 2016, AIIMS organized an alumni event in which many of the old faculty and students got together. We bring together some photographs and videos. We also invite everyone to send more photographs and thoughts to the journal for further compilation.

You forget people you meet, but sometimes, you meet those people you cannot forget.

Those are your “friends,” “batchmates,” and “teachers.”

On February 27, 2016, Department of Cardiology, AIIMS, witnessed the meeting of alumni at Hotel Taj in New Delhi. The occasion was graced by more than 80 alumni members ranging across various batches from various parts of the country and outside the country as well. Dr. V.K. Bahl, Dr. Bishav Mohan, and Dr. Ramakrishnan organized the alumni meet during India Live 2016. The meeting was initiated by Dr. V.K. Bahl, current Head of the Department of Cardiology, AIIMS. Then, we showed a video of the current department [Videos 1-5].

The department was established in 1958 under the leadership of Prof. Sujoy B. Roy, who sacrificed his position as faculty at Harvard University to join AIIMS as Head of the Department of Cardiology. He was a compassionate cardiologist, dedicated researcher, and an accomplished teacher. His prodigious contribution won him several accolades such as Amir Chand Basanti Award, the Massachusetts Heart fellowship, and Padma Bhushan. He did the first cardiac catheterization in 1962. He coined the term, “juvenile mitral stenosis.” After the initial significant contribution of Prof. Sujoy B. Roy, subsequent heads, including Prof. Madan Lal Bhatia, Prof. Rajan Tandon, Prof. Harbans Singh Wasir, Prof. Subhash Chand Manchanda, Prof. K.K. Talwar, Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, and Prof. V.K. Bahl, have taken the department to newer heights with the pioneering leads in mitral balloon intervention, coronary intervention, biventricular pacing, heart transplantation and research in rheumatic heart disease, high altitude mountain sickness, yoga to name a few.

During a remarkable and unforgettable journey faculty such as Prof. Harbans Singh Wasir and Dr. Rajan Tandon also lost their lives and will always be remembered.

Dr. Khanna in his speech called the Department of Cardiology of AIIMS as the “Mecca of Cardiology in the subcontinent.” He still remembers the beautiful and memorable old days spent with Dr. Sujoy B. Roy at AIIMS.

Dr. Grover, who also served AIIMS during his Senior Resident ship, still remembers the unforgettable days at AIIMS.

Dr. M.L. Bhatia sent his best wishes to the audience over a voice recording.

Dr. Khalilullah stated that your knowledge could be your strength no matter where you come from and also narrated how he created the first indigenous pacemaker and he gave the credit of what he is today to Dr. Sujoy B. Roy.

Dr. Manchanda congratulated Dr. S. Ramakrishnan and Dr. V.K Bahl for organizing such an important event and stated that Dr. Sujoy B. Roy was the father of cardiology in India. As a teacher, he taught as well as learned a lot from his students.

Dr. Savitri Srivastava remembered the days when patients were reluctant to undergo cardiac interventions during those early times.

Dr. Manjuran called himself a fortunate person to have been trained by giants, and he owed all his achievements to the training he received at AIIMS.

All the current faculty members and all the past alumni of AIIMS shared their wonderful experience and unforgettable time they spent during their training in alma mater. In the end, Dr. S.S. Kothari gave a fitting vote of thanks for the event.

The department has made a significant contribution to the training of great cardiologists over the years. It can take pride in setting standards in patient care.